WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) released the following statement on the Trump administration’s move late last week to extend the opioid public health emergency declaration, which was set to expire yesterday.

“I applaud the Trump administration for extending the emergency declaration, which provides federal agencies the flexibility to address this devastating epidemic,” Senator Sullivan said. “I will continue to work with the administration and my colleagues in the Senate to push for more funding to combat this crisis, and to get those resources to states and local governments who are closer to the people.

“This crisis knows no boundaries. It’s affecting so many in our state. We must all continue to work together to get those who are suffering from addiction the help they need, and to get the drugs out of the hands of those who profit from addiction and misery.”

Background:

In October of 2015, eight Alaska women who struggle with addiction visited with Senator Sullivan in his Washington, DC office, and served as the inspiration for the Alaska Wellness Summit: Conquering the Opioid Crisis. In 2016, Senator Sullivan hosted the Summit, which featured the former U.S. Surgeon General and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary. Over the last two years, Senator Sullivan has supported, and Congress has passed, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), and the 21st Century Cures Act – which included $1 billion over two years for states to combat the opioid crisis.